PUBLISHED: 6 Oct 2024 at 13:47
UPDATED: 6 Oct 2024 at 22:53
CHIANG MAI: Emergency evacuations are currently taking place to rescue individuals trapped in various areas of Muang and Saraphi districts, following severe flooding caused by the overflowing Ping River. This situation escalated from late Saturday night.
At the Nawarat Bridge in Muang district, the Ping River reached a staggering height of 5.30 meters on Saturday night, subsequently decreasing to 5.15 meters by 4 AM and 5.00 meters by 8 AM on Sunday.
The floodwaters wreaked havoc in key commercial areas, including the Night Bazaar, Chang Khlan Road, and Kad Luang market, where strong currents left thousands—especially vulnerable groups like bedridden elderly residents and children—in urgent need of food and evacuation.
Chang Khlan Road and the Night Bazaar were reported to be submerged by over a meter of water, leaving many local residents and tourists trapped.
The flooding also affected major routes such as the Chiang Mai-Lampang superhighway and Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, with isolated motorists on Saraphi interchange seeking assistance. Mahidol Road, a key access route to Chiang Mai airport, is also currently flooded.
According to Dr. Sariddet Charoenchai, public health emergency management director at the Public Health Ministry, two fatalities have been reported due to the flooding—one individual was electrocuted, and another was caught in a mud flow. Additionally, one person remains missing.
In response to the crisis, there are now 42 shelters set up for flood victims in Chiang Mai, as 11 clinics in the region have been closed due to the inundation.
The State Railway of Thailand has suspended its north-bound train service from Bangkok to Lampang province because of the extensive flooding in Chiang Mai.
On Sunday, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that Chiang Mai is among 20 provinces currently facing severe flooding.
Brown floodwater from the Ping River engulfs central Chiang Mai on Sunday.
